novelSusiti Chapter 35 Winning Hearts and Minds, Meng Huo Wins Over
Chapter 35 Winning Hearts and Minds, Meng Huo Wins Over
Outside Yuexi City, dust and sand filled the sky.
Sima Yi's command flag stood prominently in front of the Cao Wei army.
The flag is black with the two golden characters "Sima" embroidered on it.
The wind whipped the flags, making them flutter and rustle, creating an imposing sight.
Hundreds of thousands of Wei troops were lined up in preparation.
The armor gleamed blindingly, its imposing presence like a tidal wave.
It seeped into the city little by little through the cracks in the city wall.
On the city wall, Li Hui was being supported by his personal guards.
The wound on his chest was still bleeding, soaking through his inner armor.
His face was ashen, yet his eyes remained piercing.
He stared intently at the commander's flag outside the city, his expression solemn.
[Li Hui's heart was heavy]: Sima Yi personally led the main force.
It was not merely to seize Yuexi.
He must be trying to use the chaos in the south to sever the foundation of our Shu Han in the south.
They then set their sights on the Shu region, plotting something even bigger.
If His Majesty's secret order can be delivered in time, it will be our only chance of survival.
Ma Zhong, holding a long spear, stood beside Li Hui.
The bloodstains on his armor had long since dried and turned black.
The wound on his shoulder tugged at his arm.
Every movement brought excruciating pain.
"General, the Wei army is overwhelming, and we have suffered heavy casualties."
Ma Zhong's voice was hoarse, and his tone was full of worry.
"Although the city gates are temporarily secured, the soldiers cannot hold out any longer if this drags on."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Hui raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Don't panic."
Li Hui's voice was weak, but exceptionally firm.
"His Majesty anticipated this and will surely have a solution."
"We only need to guard the city gates and await His Majesty's decree."
Meng Huo, standing to the side, gripped his curved sword tightly with both hands.
His knuckles turned white from the exertion, and his brows were furrowed.
He gazed at the dark mass of Wei troops outside the city.
He then looked down at the exhausted tribal soldiers inside the city.
His eyes were filled with struggle and guilt.
[Meng Huo's heart was churning]: It's all my fault for being so foolish back then.
It was only because they were misled by Yong Kai that the tribe fell into this predicament.
Now that Yong Kai is dead, the rebellion by his undercover agents has been quelled.
Sima Yi pressed on relentlessly, and if the tribe resisted again, they risked annihilation.
He recalled the message that Liu Shan had secretly conveyed to him by the messenger.
—"The Yi and Han are one family. If they are willing to surrender, their tribes will be autonomous and exempt from taxes for three years."
Meng Huo's resolve wavered even more.
He was already dissatisfied with Yong Kai's collusion with Eastern Wu and his letting the wolf into the house.
They only kept putting on a brave face because of the tribe's reputation.
Now that his escape route is cut off, His Majesty's magnanimity leaves him with no reason to resist.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came galloping from inside the city.
A Shu scout was covered in wounds.
He spurred his horse and charged to the foot of the city wall, shouting loudly, "General Li! General Ma!"
"The envoy from Chengdu has arrived, bringing His Majesty's secret decree!"
A glint of light flashed in Li Hui's eyes.
Ignoring his injuries, he struggled forward, shouting, "Quick! Bring the messenger up!"
A moment later, an envoy dressed in brocade robes appeared.
Holding the secret letter, he quickly walked up to the city wall.
He walked solemnly to Li Hui.
He handed over the secret letter with both hands: "General, His Majesty's secret order."
Li Hui trembled as he took the secret letter, opened it, and read it carefully.
After reading it, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at Meng Huo.
"His Majesty has given the order," Li Hui said in a loud voice.
He deliberately made sure Meng Huo heard him clearly: "I pardon Meng Huo and his tribe for all crimes of rebellion."
"Return the tribal lands, allow tribal autonomy, and waive taxes for three years."
He paused, then added a sentence, his tone serious.
"If Meng Huo surrenders, he will be appointed as the garrison commander of Nanzhong."
"For generations, they guarded the southern frontier, sharing the fate of Shu Han."
Meng Huo was startled and suddenly looked up.
His eyes were filled with disbelief, and his expression was one of excitement.
He strode forward and grabbed Li Hui's arm.
His voice trembled: "General Li, are you telling the truth?"
"Your Majesty's words are law, how could they be false?" Li Hui patted his hand.
His tone was sincere: "His Majesty said that the Yi and Han peoples of the South are originally one family."
"I do not wish for further warfare, I only desire peace and tranquility for the people."
Meng Huo was deeply moved: His Majesty is so magnanimous!
I was a rebellious subject, yet he not only spared my life, but also...
They even granted my tribe autonomy, exempted me from taxes for three years, and even bestowed upon me an official position...
With such magnanimity, how could I, Meng Huo, ever betray you again?
He released Li Hui's arm and took a step back.
Looking towards Chengdu, his eyes were filled with guilt and admiration.
With a "plop," Meng Huo slowly knelt on one knee.
The sound was powerful and resonant, echoing above the city tower.
"Meng Huo is foolish. He was previously misled by treacherous officials, causing chaos in the south and betraying His Majesty's great kindness!"
"Today, I am willing to lead all my tribesmen to surrender to Shu Han."
"I will pledge my lifelong loyalty to Your Majesty and never rebel!"
Upon hearing this, the tribal soldiers inside the city all laid down their weapons.
They knelt and prayed in the direction of Chengdu, their shouts shaking the heavens.
"I surrender to Shu Han! I pledge my loyalty to Your Majesty!"
The deafening cheers instantly dispelled most of the weariness and gloom in the city.
Upon seeing this, Li Hui smiled with relief.
Ignoring the excruciating pain from his wounds, he stepped forward and helped Meng Huo up.
"Chief Meng is a man of great virtue and righteousness. His Majesty will surely be overjoyed to learn of this."
"From now on, we will be brothers fighting side by side."
"Let us defend the south together and resist Cao Wei!"
Ma Zhong also stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting to Meng Huo.
His tone was sincere: "Chief Meng, there have been many misunderstandings before, please forgive me."
"In the future, when we fight the enemy side by side, I, Ma, will certainly work together with you."
Meng Huo stood up and returned the greeting to Li Hui and Ma Zhong.
His eyes were full of determination: "Generals, rest assured."
"Meng Huo keeps his word. Today, he will lead his tribal soldiers to defend Yuexi City!"
Just as the three of them were working together to make a plan.
Suddenly, a series of urgent shouts came from below the city gate.
"General! Something terrible has happened! The Wei army has begun their attack on the city!"
The three of them turned their heads at the same time and looked out of the city.
Sima Yi simply raised his hand and waved it.
In the Wei army's formation, battering rams thundered out.
They charged toward the city gate, their shouts of battle deafening.
Li Hui gripped his longsword tightly, his expression hardening.
"General Ma, you guard the east gate; Chief Meng, you lead your tribe's soldiers to guard the west gate."
"We must hold out for at least half an hour!"
"Yes, sir!" Ma Zhong and Meng Huo replied in unison.
They turned and sped away, heading to their respective posts.
Li Hui leaned on the railing, gazing at the Wei army launching a fierce attack outside the city.
He thought to himself: Sima Yi is coming with great force, can we hold on?
What made his heart sink even more was...
When the messenger arrived, I secretly passed him a secret message.
—Strange activity has occurred in Chengdu, with the masked man reappearing.
Who exactly is that masked man wearing the golden Wei Ling badge?
What kind of storm will he stir up in this chaos?
The city gate was knocked so hard it was on the verge of collapse, with splinters of wood flying everywhere.
Li Hui gripped his longsword and leaped off the city wall.
They charged towards the besieging Wei army without fear.
A life-or-death battle concerning the survival of the South has begun.
And no one noticed, in the shadows at the corner of the city.
A slender figure stood quietly.
He held a gold-patterned Wei token in his hand.
A strange glint flashed in his eyes.
His gaze was fixed on Meng Huo's back.
[End of Chapter]